About Olearia viscidula (F.Muell.) Benth.
Olearia viscidula (F.Muell.) Benth. is a woody shrub that grows to between 1.5 and 3.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches to 11 feet 6 inches) high, and reaches 1 to 2 metres (3 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 7 inches) wide. Its oval leaves grow in an alternate arrangement along the stems, measuring 1.5 to 8.8 centimetres (0.59 to 3.46 inches) long and 0.2 to 1.1 centimetres (0.079 to 0.433 inches) wide, with smooth unbroken margins. The upper surface of the leaves is shiny green, while the undersides are covered in pale grey fuzz. Stems and new growth are sometimes covered in resin.
Flowering occurs between July and November, and can produce very abundant blooms. The daisy-like flower heads measure 0.8 to 1.7 centimetres (0.31 to 0.67 inches) in diameter, with cream or yellow central discs and white ray florets.
Olearia viscidula is found in eastern New South Wales, Australia, occurring south of the Nandewar Ranges. It grows in tall eucalypt forest, rainforest, dry sclerophyll forest, and woodland, on soils with medium or high nutrient content. This daisy bush resprouts from its lignotuber after bushfire.
Seldom grown in cultivation, Olearia viscidula grows best in well-drained soil in a part-shaded location. Regular pruning keeps the plant from becoming spindly and leggy. This species is frost-hardy, and can be propagated from seed or cuttings.
